What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

This weekend

An Incan sun mask lying on greenery, part of the Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City virtual reality experience.
Until

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

A 4D virtual reality experience that lets you explore the Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes.

A woman's hand holding the stem of a large red wine glass.
Until

Tour de Vin

Follow the Tour de France through the regions with live stages, food and wine.

Colourful glass artwork of four distinct panels.
Until

Colour of Time Exhibition

Colour of Time is a NAIDOC Exhibition of First Nations culture in glass, at the Athenaeum Library.

A red patterned textile artwork handing on a blank white gallery wall.
Until

Emerging Artist Award

fortyfivedownstairs is proud to present the 11th annual Emerging Artist Award.

Graphic illustration of a light bulb.
Until

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

An ensemble performs 30 plays in only 60 minutes.

A dark image of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing while a large screen displays a film on the background.
–

Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy

A special presentation with the MSO celebrating Final Fantasy X.

A wide-angle photo taken from the top steps of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, looking down a paved forecourt and across parkland towards the city skyline at dusk.
–

Open House Melbourne Weekend

Open House Melbourne Weekend connects you with good design – explore buildings, places and spaces.

A Melbourne AFL player running while about to kick a yellow football he has just dropped in front of his leg.

AFL Round 20: Melbourne v Geelong Cats

Melbourne and Geelong Cats meet under the bright lights for Friday night football at the G.

The ensemble cast of a theatre or musical production, dressed in costume, posed in front of a stage.
–

Murder at the Theatre: A Musical Dance Drama

A high‑energy musical dance drama blending Bollywood and Broadway.

People seated and standing chatting in a bar area with pendant lights.

Christmas Winter Bazaar

A festive day filled with Danish 'hygge', seasonal treats, and a warm community atmosphere.

Two smiling DJs standing in front of a DJ deck.

Club Crochet

A daytime crochet party on the gallery steps – music turned up, DJs spinning, yarn everywhere.

Silhouettes of an orchestra on stage, performers standing, violin bows in the air.
–

Australian Chamber Orchestra: From Winter's Stillness

A soul-stirring evocation of ancient landscapes and Northern light.

Regular weekend events

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
Until

NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Lightscape installation at night with purple images of trees.
Until

Lightscape

Melbourne's favourite winter tradition Lightscape returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
Until

Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
Until

Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
Until

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
Until

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
Until

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
Until

State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
Until

Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
Until

Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with trees in the background.
Until

Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
Until

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

A person pouring out a measure of Aperol into a metal measuring cup.
Until

Cocktail Making Class

Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
Until

DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

A stand-up comedian talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
–

Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
Until

Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two actors wearing formal clothes in a spotlight on a theatre stage during a performance of Pretty Woman: The Musical.
Until

Pretty Woman: The Musical

A dazzling stage adaptation of one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
Until

Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

A person in a gallery setting looking at a sculpture of an oversize wooden pipe with a sculpture of a giant peeled mandarin balanced on the pipe.
Until

Poetry Goes No Further Than Language

Explore a moment in mid-1980s China when a group of artists began to question values about art.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
Until

Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
Until

Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
Until

Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
Until

Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
Until

Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
Until

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

Three coloured gin-based cocktails with platters of snacks.
Until

Gin-dulgent High Tea Experience

Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.

An Incan sun mask lying on greenery, part of the Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City virtual reality experience.
Until

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

A 4D virtual reality experience that lets you explore the Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Until

Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
Until

Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Two three-tiered cake stands displaying sweet and savoury cheese treats on a white table.
Until

High Cheese

A refined three-tiered journey, reimagined through cheese.

Private dining bubbles in a designed space with greenery and fairy lights.
Until

Fern’s Hidden Winter Garden

Enjoy a unique winter dining experience in a private botanical conservatory.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
Until

Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Two young adults observing a sculpture in a gallery space with digital and scupltural displays.
Until

EMERGENCE[Y]

An exhibition exploring how adaptation in a world of flux unfolds in every layer of life.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
Until

Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

Visitors walking through a 3D simulation of the cosmos using wireless VR headsets.
Until

Starstruck

Smithsonian Starstruck is an immersive 3D journey to the cosmos.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
Until

Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

A crowd of people at night, seated and socialising at Whitehart Bar, a multi-level outdoor venue.
Until

Hartbeats Live Jazz

Settle in for live jazz, deep grooves and an afternoon that slowly drifts into night.

Drag performers all wearing red outfits, wigs and make-up standing in a row behind Reuben Kaye who sits in a red leather armchair.

Drag Roast

Australia is about to make her-story with the one-night only Drag Roast.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
–

The Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
Until

World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

A woman on a stepladder in a garden pours water from a watering can over a man standing below.
Until

Uncle Vanya

Chekhov’s timeless tale, full of mordant wit, unrequited love and longing, finds new life.

A group of people seated in a small, intimate venue with red lighting and small red lamps on tables.
Until

Comedy Fridays at Piper's Playhouse

A fresh line-up of leading Australian comedians, alongside surprise guest appearances.

Six female performers on a purple lit stage in costumes and striking poses, all singing into microphones they hold in their hands.
–

SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical makes its royal stage return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
Until

Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
Until

Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
Until

Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
Until

Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
Until

Mosaic Art Classes Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

A wide outdoor stone walkway flanked by low brick planter boxes with green plants, leading toward a large arched opening in a modern white stone apartment building.

Local: Kensington - Open House

Part of Open House Melbourne, this tour considers build-to-rent as a model for the long term.

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
Until

Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Crowds exploring an ornate government house room styled in blue and gold.

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
–

What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.